Next 3 weeks 25th September to 15th October 2017

NEXT 3 WEEKS EVENTS

 25th September to 15th October 2017

The following is an extract from Bristol Geology Calendar

More details can be found in the Calendar and on the web sites of the relevant Society or organisation.

All Week (except Monday)

10:00

 Bristol City Museum - Pliosaurus!

WhenSun, 13 August, 10:00 – 17:00

WhereBristol Museum & Art Gallery (map)

DescriptionTravel back in time 150 million years and dive into Bristol’s Jurassic seas. We dare you to come face to face with one very special creature – an eight metre long Pliosaurus called Doris. She’s the ultimate predator and you’ll be awestruck as you touch her skin, listen to her heartbeat and smell her disgusting breath! Then travel forward to the present day to find out more about this amazing beast. See her actual fossil – one of the world’s most complete – and play games to discover more about her life and death. All the family can have fun investigating the science that helped us bring her back to life. Ideal for children aged 3-11 years old. Discovered in Westbury, Wiltshire in 1994, our internationally significant specimen is the world’s only example of a new species of pliosaur – Pliosaurus carpenteri – and will be on public display for the first time. Pliosaurs are so big that it took ten years to prepare all the fossils that were found. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery opening times: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays during Bristol school holidays: 10am-5pm

Monday 25th September

Dave Green - The Devonian Period WhenMon, 25 September, 19:30 – 21:30 WhereWynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map) DescriptionThe Devonian Period 419 to 358 million years ago, this period (whose existence was hotly disputed by Sedgwick and Murchison in the 1820s and 30s) saw the amalgamation of two parts of Britain (but strangely not including Devon!), the emergence of widespread land vegetation, closely followed by insects and terrestrial tetrapods. A major extinction, of disputed origin, wiped out a large proportion of life towards the end of the period. Half the world consisted of a vast ocean (Panthalassa), which, like the modern Pacific, was gradually being destroyed by subduction, in favour of the Rheic and PalaeoTethyian Oceans. Starts Mon 18th September for 10 weeks (not 16th or 23rd Oct), until 4th December Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays. Cost £70 (including tea, coffee etc at breaktime!). Contact Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Forge Hill, Lydbrook, Glos GL17 9QU Tel 01594 860858 davegeostudies@gmail.com

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

All Week (except Monday)

10:00

 Bristol City Museum - Pliosaurus!

WhenSun, 13 August, 10:00 – 17:00

WhereBristol Museum & Art Gallery (map)

DescriptionTravel back in time 150 million years and dive into Bristol’s Jurassic seas. We dare you to come face to face with one very special creature – an eight metre long Pliosaurus called Doris. She’s the ultimate predator and you’ll be awestruck as you touch her skin, listen to her heartbeat and smell her disgusting breath! Then travel forward to the present day to find out more about this amazing beast. See her actual fossil – one of the world’s most complete – and play games to discover more about her life and death. All the family can have fun investigating the science that helped us bring her back to life. Ideal for children aged 3-11 years old. Discovered in Westbury, Wiltshire in 1994, our internationally significant specimen is the world’s only example of a new species of pliosaur – Pliosaurus carpenteri – and will be on public display for the first time. Pliosaurs are so big that it took ten years to prepare all the fossils that were found. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery opening times: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays during Bristol school holidays: 10am-5pm

Monday 2nd October

Dave Green - The Devonian Period WhenMon, 25 September, 19:30 – 21:30 WhereWynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map) DescriptionThe Devonian Period 419 to 358 million years ago, this period (whose existence was hotly disputed by Sedgwick and Murchison in the 1820s and 30s) saw the amalgamation of two parts of Britain (but strangely not including Devon!), the emergence of widespread land vegetation, closely followed by insects and terrestrial tetrapods. A major extinction, of disputed origin, wiped out a large proportion of life towards the end of the period. Half the world consisted of a vast ocean (Panthalassa), which, like the modern Pacific, was gradually being destroyed by subduction, in favour of the Rheic and PalaeoTethyian Oceans. Starts Mon 18th September for 10 weeks (not 16th or 23rd Oct), until 4th December Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays. Cost £70 (including tea, coffee etc at breaktime!). Contact Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Forge Hill, Lydbrook, Glos GL17 9QU Tel 01594 860858 davegeostudies@gmail.com

Tuesday

OU Geol Soc Wessex Excursion - Jersey

When3 – 6 Oct 2017

WhereJersey (map)

DescriptionLeaders:- Dr Ralph Nichols, Robert Waterhouse Contact Kathy Stott kathympython2014@gmail.com

Wednesday

OU Geol Soc Wessex Excursion - Jersey

When3 – 6 Oct 2017

WhereJersey (map)

DescriptionLeaders:- Dr Ralph Nichols, Robert Waterhouse Contact Kathy Stott kathympython2014@gmail.com

South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group Talk WhenWed, 4 October, 19:30 – 20:30 WhereMiners Institute (aka Coalpit Heath Village Hall), 214 Badmington Rd, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2QB (map) DescriptionTalk 3 Contact Roger Gosling 01454 883607

Thursday

OU Geol Soc Wessex Excursion - Jersey

When3 – 6 Oct 2017

WhereJersey (map)

DescriptionLeaders:- Dr Ralph Nichols, Robert Waterhouse Contact Kathy Stott kathympython2014@gmail.com

Bath Geol Soc Lecture - How did the largest animals ever fly?

WhenThu, 5 October, 19:15 – 20:45

WhereBath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16 Queen Square, Bath (map)

DescriptionHow did the largest animals ever fly? Biomechanics and mass estimation in pterosaurs Liz Martin-Silverstone, Final Year PhD Student, Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to take to the skies, and the largest animals ever to achieve powered flight. The largest had wingspans rivalling small airplanes at 10-11m. The biggest birds today are nowhere near this size, with albatross wingspans of 3-4 m., and extinct birds may have reached up to 8 m. in size. Why were pterosaurs able to reach this great size? How were they able to fly? Exactly how heavy were these animals? With unique adaptations, pterosaurs were able to dominate the sky for over 150 million years.

Friday

OU Geol Soc Wessex Excursion - Jersey

When3 – 6 Oct 2017

WhereJersey (map)

DescriptionLeaders:- Dr Ralph Nichols, Robert Waterhouse Contact Kathy Stott kathympython2014@gmail.com

Saturday

The Rock Exchange

When7 – 8 Oct 2017

WhereBakewell, Derbyshire. (map)

Bath Geol Soc Excursion - Ogmore and Southerndown WhenSaturday, 7 Oct 2017 WhereMeet at the car park at the south end of Ogmore-by-Sea village (SS 869 734) and later move to the car park at Dunraven Bay. There is plenty of parking available but with pay-and-display fees at Ogmore and a toll at Southerndown. (map) DescriptionOgmore and Southerndown Dr. Geraint Owen, Swansea University Mesozoic rocks unconformably overlie Upper Palaeozoic rocks in the Vale of Glamorgan. The rock units and their relationships are superbly exposed along the spectacular Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Highlights include richly fossiliferous Carboniferous Limestone and Blue Lias (early Jurassic); marginal facies of the Mesozoic that developed close to upstanding areas of Carboniferous Limestone and are preserved adjacent to unconformities in the form of wadi breccias and rocky shoreline deposits; a variety of styles of unconformity; and impressive folds and faults. Meet at the car park at the south end of Ogmore-by-Sea village (SS 869 734) and later move to the car park at Dunraven Bay. There is plenty of parking available but with pay-and-display fees at Ogmore and a toll at Southerndown. Strong footwear and packed lunch will be needed.

Dursley Walking Festival - Geology and Scenery of the Dursley Outliers

WhenSat, 7 October, 10:00 – 15:00

WhereCam Peak Car Park. GL11 5HH will get you close. Grid Ref ST767993 (map)

DescriptionWalk commencing 10.00 am Geology and Scenery of the Dursley Outliers. Duration/distance: 5 Hours 5 Miles Start point/grid ref: Cam Peak Car Park. GL11 5HH will get you close. Grid Ref ST767993 Brief description: Starting from Cam Peak car park we will explore the Dursley outliers on footpaths and tracks There will be 3 relatively steep climbs of between 60 and 100 metres. Sturdy, ankle-supporting footwear with soles that have good grip is recommended for the steep slopes. The walk will stop at the pub in Uley for lunch, but participants are very welcome to bring their own packed lunch to picnic on the green. It is recommended that everyone should bring a drink with them. There will be numerous stops during the walk depending on questions/interest and these will involve looking at landscape and /or rocks. Booking not required, just turn up. Dogs allowed?: Well behaved dogs on a short lead welcome. Leader/organisation: Dave Green davegeostudies@gmail.com 01594 860858 or 07980 239991 on day.

Sunday

The Rock Exchange When7 – 8 Oct 2017 WhereBakewell, Derbyshire. (map)

All Week (except Monday)

10:00

 Bristol City Museum - Pliosaurus!

WhenSun, 13 August, 10:00 – 17:00

WhereBristol Museum & Art Gallery (map)

DescriptionTravel back in time 150 million years and dive into Bristol’s Jurassic seas. We dare you to come face to face with one very special creature – an eight metre long Pliosaurus called Doris. She’s the ultimate predator and you’ll be awestruck as you touch her skin, listen to her heartbeat and smell her disgusting breath! Then travel forward to the present day to find out more about this amazing beast. See her actual fossil – one of the world’s most complete – and play games to discover more about her life and death. All the family can have fun investigating the science that helped us bring her back to life. Ideal for children aged 3-11 years old. Discovered in Westbury, Wiltshire in 1994, our internationally significant specimen is the world’s only example of a new species of pliosaur – Pliosaurus carpenteri – and will be on public display for the first time. Pliosaurs are so big that it took ten years to prepare all the fossils that were found. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery opening times: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays during Bristol school holidays: 10am-5pm

Monday 9th October

Dave Green - The Devonian Period WhenMon, 9 October, 19:30 – 21:30 WhereWynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map) DescriptionThe Devonian Period 419 to 358 million years ago, this period (whose existence was hotly disputed by Sedgwick and Murchison in the 1820s and 30s) saw the amalgamation of two parts of Britain (but strangely not including Devon!), the emergence of widespread land vegetation, closely followed by insects and terrestrial tetrapods. A major extinction, of disputed origin, wiped out a large proportion of life towards the end of the period. Half the world consisted of a vast ocean (Panthalassa), which, like the modern Pacific, was gradually being destroyed by subduction, in favour of the Rheic and PalaeoTethyian Oceans. Starts Mon 18th September for 10 weeks (not 16th or 23rd Oct), until 4th December Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays. Cost £70 (including tea, coffee etc at breaktime!). Contact Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Forge Hill, Lydbrook, Glos GL17 9QU Tel 01594 860858 davegeostudies@gmail.com

Tuesday

WEGA Lecture - Dr. Heather Buss (Bristol University) WhenTue, 10 October, 19:30 – 21:00 WhereEarth Sciences Lecture Theatre, Wills Memorial Building, University of Bristol. (map) DescriptionCreating the critical zone: dissolving, fracturing, and eating rocks by Dr. Heather Buss, Bristol University The critical zone is the region of terrestrial Earth extending from the treetops to where rock begins to weather. It's critical because it provides many essentials that we need to survive on this planet - energy, nutrients, food, groundwater; it also mediates the release of toxins to the biosphere, controls water runoff and infiltration, affects the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and generates dust and sediments. The creation of the critical zone from solid rock is a complex but fascinating set of interlinked processes of chemical reactions, physical transport, fracturing, and metabolism. The feedbacks amongst these very different processes determine many of the characteristics of the critical zone, such as the shape of it, the depth of it, how fast it evolves, and the fertility of it. Because the critical zone is so critical, it's essential that we are able to preserve (or restore) its functions in the face of global and local environmental change. To do that, we need to understand exactly how these feedbacks work so that we can make accurate predictions of the consequences of environmental change as well as of our interventions. In this talk, I will discuss how these different processes are interlinked with a case study of spheroidal weathering in a tropical granitic rock, with extension to other lithologies and climate zones globally.

Wednesday

Geol Soc Western - Lecture

WhenTue, 17 October, 18:00 – 20:00

WhereThe Hub, Aztec West (map)

DescriptionJames Stockall, Network Rail Managing Victorian Earthwork Assets for Modern Demands "18:00 to 18:30 - networking and refreshments 18:30 to 19:30 - Lecture 19:30 - Questions"

HYDROCK WILLIAM SMITH LECTURE WhenWed, 11 October, 19:00 – 20:00 WhereThe Great Hall Wills Memorial Building University of Bristol School of Earth Sciences Queens Road BS8 1RJ Bristol United Kingdom (map) Description Hydrock William Smith Lecture 2017 Following the success of the William Smith Bicentenary Lecture Series in October 2015, the University of Bristol School of Earth Sciences invites you to attend the inaugural Hydrock William Smith Lecture, a new series of annual public lectures on contemporary earth science topics sponsored by award-winning, Bristol-based engineering consultancy Hydrock (www.hydrock.com). The 2017 Hydrock William Smith Lecture will be: The Fingerprints of Sea Level Change in a Warming World Professor Jerry X. Mitrovica (Harvard University) Sea level changes are a particularly dramatic consequence of global warming and estimates of the average rise in sea level over the past decade are routinely reported in the media. However, such estimates obscure the fact that observed sea level changes vary dramatically around the globe. This lecture will describe the sources of this variability and focus on the unique patterns – or fingerprints – of sea level change that follow the melting of ice sheets and glaciers. In particular, sea level will actually fall within about 2000 km of a melting ice sheet and rise by increasing amounts at great distance. Thus, counterintuitive as it may seem, Bristolians should be far more concerned about the fate of the distant Antarctic Ice Sheet than the future of their neighbour, the ice sheet that now covers Greenland. Tickets are available free of charge from Eventbrite at by going to the web address below. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hydrock-william-smith-lecture-tickets-35787398071?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTI1MTEzMDMvZ3JhZW1lQGNodXJjaGFyZC5jb20vMA%3D%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&ref=enivtefor001&utm_term=attend

Thursday

Friday

Cheltenham MGS Lecture - Crystal Caves of Chipping Sodbury

WhenFriday, 13 Oct 2017

WhereShurdington at The Century Hall (map)

DescriptionDr Neville Hollingworth Crystal Caves of Chipping Sodbury

Saturday

SWGA Field Trip - Mumbles and the Clyne Valley

WhenSaturday, 14 Oct 2017

WhereTo be confirmed (map)

DescriptionMumbles and the Clyne Valley, Leaders: Geraint Owen and Hazel Trenbirth.

Sunday

OU Geol Soc Wessex - Site conservation WhenSunday, 15 Oct 2017 WhereUpwey Cutting Weymouth (map) DescriptionRIGS Site Conservation, Upwey Cutting, Weymouth Leader:- Alan Holiday Contact Jeremy Cranmer, wessexdaytrips@ougs.org, tel. 01305 267133

OUGS Severnside Excursion

WhenSunday, 15 Oct 2017

DescriptionEvent: Abergavenny Leader: Dilys Harlow Location: South Wales Date: October 15th 2017 (Sunday) Type: Day Trip Summary: A visit to Gilwern Hill and Clydach Gorge Contact #1: Jan Ashton-Jones [janaj1009@gmail.com] Booking Form: Please contact the organiser of this event for further information. Itinerary and Risk Assessment: Please contact the organiser of this event for the Itinerary and Risk Assessment.

Next week 18th to 24th September 2017

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

 18th to 24th September 2017

The following is an extract from Bristol Geology Calendar

More details can be found in the Calendar and on the web sites of the relevant Society or organisation.

All Week (except Monday)

10:00

 Bristol City Museum - Pliosaurus!

WhenSun, 13 August, 10:00 – 17:00

WhereBristol Museum & Art Gallery (map)

DescriptionTravel back in time 150 million years and dive into Bristol’s Jurassic seas. We dare you to come face to face with one very special creature – an eight metre long Pliosaurus called Doris. She’s the ultimate predator and you’ll be awestruck as you touch her skin, listen to her heartbeat and smell her disgusting breath! Then travel forward to the present day to find out more about this amazing beast. See her actual fossil – one of the world’s most complete – and play games to discover more about her life and death. All the family can have fun investigating the science that helped us bring her back to life. Ideal for children aged 3-11 years old. Discovered in Westbury, Wiltshire in 1994, our internationally significant specimen is the world’s only example of a new species of pliosaur – Pliosaurus carpenteri – and will be on public display for the first time. Pliosaurs are so big that it took ten years to prepare all the fossils that were found. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery opening times: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Mondays and Mondays during Bristol school holidays: 10am-5pm

Monday

Dave Green - The Devonian Period

WhenMon, 18 September, 19:30 – 21:30

WhereWynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map)

DescriptionThe Devonian Period 419 to 358 million years ago, this period (whose existence was hotly disputed by Sedgwick and Murchison in the 1820s and 30s) saw the amalgamation of two parts of Britain (but strangely not including Devon!), the emergence of widespread land vegetation, closely followed by insects and terrestrial tetrapods. A major extinction, of disputed origin, wiped out a large proportion of life towards the end of the period. Half the world consisted of a vast ocean (Panthalassa), which, like the modern Pacific, was gradually being destroyed by subduction, in favour of the Rheic and PalaeoTethyian Oceans. Starts Mon 18th September for 10 weeks (not 16th or 23rd Oct), until 4th December Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays. Cost £70 (including tea, coffee etc at breaktime!). Contact Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Forge Hill, Lydbrook, Glos GL17 9QU Tel 01594 860858 davegeostudies@gmail.com

Tuesday

Geol Soc Western - lecture WhenTue, 19 September, 18:00 – 20:00 WhereThe Hub, Aztec West (map) DescriptionMike Palmer, CH2M Engineering geology applied to the design and construction of Wimbleball Dam grout curtain "18:00 to 18:30 - networking and refreshments 18:30 to 19:30 - Lecture 19:30 - Questions"

SMFS Evening Meeting WhenTue, 19 September, 19:30 – 22:00 WhereFriends’ Meeting House, Ordnance Road, Southampton, SO15 2AZ (map) Description“Dinosaurs and Sex: A romp through the beds of the Cretaceous” (PG). Presentation by Dr Jeremy Lockwood, Members’ Display Table: Dinosaur Fossils & Memorabilia.

Wednesday

Thursday

The Shaping of Ross (on Wye) WhenThu, 21 September, 18:30 – 19:30 WhereJohn Kyrle High School, Ross on Wye (map) Description“The Shaping of Ross: the Forces of Change through 700 million years of geological time” Concentrating on the processes that have produced the environment in which we now live, this course aims to aid understanding of geological forces, such as volcanoes, earthquakes, glaciers, rivers, deserts, continental drift, life, convection, water. The course will be illustrated by reference to the local area, where possible. There will be lots of opportunity for practical study of rock, mineral and fossil, both actual specimens and as thin sections through petrological microscopes. Reference will also be made to local geological maps. Starts 21st September 6.30pm Held at 6th form and adult education centre John Kyrle High School, Ross on Wye. Cost £50. Contact Paul Mason on 01989 760399. Enrol before 15th September to ensure that the course runs.

Thornbury Geology Group meeting WhenThu, 21 September, 19:30 – 20:30 Description Thornbury Geology Group, The Chantry, Thornbury, 7.30pm, contact 01454 416882 The group is is an offshoot of Thornbury and District Museum and we welcome new members. Previous geological knowledge can be helpful but is not necessary as members are very willing to share their own knowledge with anyone keen to learn more about Earth Science. The group is loosely following a pre-recorded lecture series which is supplemented by use of other material and geological specimens. On occasions a guest speaker will talk on their specialist topic. Costs are met from attending members' monthly contributions and the group does not have membership subscriptions or a committee

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

OUGS Severnside Field Trip - Blaen Onneu Quarry

WhenSunday, 24 Sep 2017

WhereTo be confirmed (map)

DescriptionBlaen Onneu Quarry Leader: Prof Paul Wright Location: Black Mountains, Powys Date: September 24th 2017 (Sunday) Type: Day Trip Summary: To study carbonate sequence More info: Location approx 3 km south of Llangynidr.

OUGS Wessex excursion WhenSunday, 24 Sep 2017 DescriptionFossils and geology at Lyme Regis Leader: Sam Scriven Sam Scriven has agreed to lead us on a trip to Lyme Regis where we can not only see the geology but also do some fossil-hunting at the world famous site of Lyme Regis Sam Scriven was born in Weymouth and studied geology at the University of Plymouth to gain a M.Geol. He spent four years as the geologist at Charmouth Heritage Centre. He has now worked for five years as the Earth Science Adviser to the Jurassic Coast team at Dorset County Council. Needless to say Sam has an intimate knowledge of the Jurassic Coast and its fossils. He lives in Bridport. Wessex branch has traditionally held fossil-hunting trips each year at Charmouth/Lyme Regis in December. This year there is a change of format. We shall look at the Lias west of Lyme Regis with the Cretaceous beds lying unconformably on the top as well as the Triassic/Jurassic boundary. There is a wealth of geology here and we shall still be able to visit the "ammonite graveyard” and, with extra daylight hours, there will be plenty of opportunity to collect fossils The total distance of the excursion is about 3 miles on varying beach material. Some slippery conditions must be expected - a walking pole can aid stability. Hammer and hand lens should be brought and collecting bags will be useful Contact #1: Jeremy Cranmer [wessexdaytrips@ougs.org]